Book Breakdown of 2014

And so, as 2014 shows itself the door, it’s time again to recap the number of reads I’ve conquered this year.

Last year’s grand total: 16

This year’s grand total: 17

Shit, I barely scraped by.  I ain’t proud, kids, but I can at least comfort myself that I have a hefty amount of unread books waiting for me to crack in 2015. Alas, the book breakdown abounds…

1. Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon – Handy creative how-to book. Quick and easy read.

 

2. The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison – Similar to, but almost better than, a Gillian Flynn book.

 

3. Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72 by Hunter S. Thompson – Only HST can make politics uber-interesting.

 

4. The Gunslinger – The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King – Enjoyed but not enough to continue the series.

 

5. I Lived to Tell It All by George Jones – Jones lived a crazy-ass life. Good fodder for my then-in-progress novel.

 

6. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn – Better than Gone Girl. Get on this book, Hollywood.

 

7. Hank Williams the Biography by Colin Escott – Sad, sad tale but a great delve into his short life.

 

8. Still in Love with You by Lycrecia Williams – Written by his daughter, this was a quick read to get Hank Williams’ wife’s take on the relationship.

 

9. The Mapmaker’s War by Ronlyn Domingue – This book pained my heart. Such a beautiful, strange tale. READ IT.

 

10. Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi – One of the best true crime books I’ve ever read.

 

11. Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck – OK, I read my 2^nd Steinbeck book after the much-hated “Grapes of Wrath”…and let me say I didn’t hate it! Success. Really enjoyed, actually. Great humor and story.

 

12. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman – I definitely appreciated it, but didn’t like the main character and overall, it wasn’t as good as I expected.

 

13. People Who Eat Darkness by Richard Lloyd Parry – Creepy true crime story involving a 2000 Tokyo murder case.

 

14. The Poor Man’s Guide to an Affordable, Painless Suicide by Schuler Benson – Quirky southern tales.

 

15. The Intern’s Handbook by Shane Kuhn – Tamer version of “John Dies at the End.” Great action scenes.

 

16. Doll Palace by Sara Lippmann – Beautiful and haunting book.

 

17. The Romanov Sisters by Helen Rappaport – Inside look and informative bio about the lives of the Romanov Sisters.

 

My vote for the best book I’ve read this year?

I gotta say, demented as it is, and despite the number of gems I’ve read this year, that the winning book of 2014 has been Helter Skelter. Despite it being a massive 700 pages, I ate this book up. It’s true crime at its best (worst?) and bloodiest.

Now what about you?  How’d you do this year? Do tell, so I have a reason to buy more — what’s been your favorite book of 2014?